Sibongile Mashaba

Sibongile Mashaba

Several Johannesburg Metro police officers and senior officials have been fired from their jobs after they were found guilty of sexually harassing their colleagues.

This includes those who demanded sex for favours in the upper echelons of the department.

Spokesman Inspector Edna Mamonyane confirmed yesterday that a number of officers had been fired after internal investigations were completed and they were found guilty of sexual harassment. But she said she had no exact figures.

Mamonyane said: "Two officers resigned during the period of the investigation into allegations levelled against them.

"We have senior officers who were fired after being found guilty of sexual harassment. We do not have any pending cases at the moment."

She said in some cases there was no evidence to prosecute the perpetrators. She did not give the names of the dismissed officers.

"Some of the female officers opened false cases after relationships they had with the alleged perpetrators went sour.

"I always encourage young female officers not to have relationships with colleagues because it may affect their work," Mamonyane said.

She said the only case that still needed to be finalised was that of chief of internal affairs officer Amon Kganyago.

Kganyago, who was supposed to lead the fight against indiscipline in the department, is facing charges of rape.

It is alleged that he raped a junior female officer in May last year. He is out on R500 bail.

"The case is in court and I do not know when it will be finalised," Mamonyane said.

Kganyago had his case reinstated in court after it was withdrawn for lack of evidence.

Last year Sowetan published a story where female officers claimed widespread harassment by their male colleagues.

Senior official Thami Chaane was dismissed last year.

Chaane and three others entered a bathroom where women officers were taking a shower. They allegedly fondled the women officers.

Chaane took the blame alone and was dismissed.